SCI Disappointed Senate Wolf Delisting Effort Blocked, Urges Senate to Take Up S. 1306

Safari Club International (SCI) expressed its disappointment after an objection by Senator Cory Booker prevented the Senate from advancing an effort to remove gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and return management authority to the states.

Gray wolf recovery represents one of the nation’s greatest conservation success stories. After decades of conservation efforts, wolf populations have far exceeded recovery goals. Thousands of wolves now inhabit the lower 48 states and connect with healthy populations throughout Canada and Alaska. But despite this remarkable recovery, gray wolves remain listed under the ESA, largely due to years of litigation that have repeatedly overturned science-based delisting decisions.

“The science is clear: gray wolves have recovered,” said SCI CEO W. Laird Hamberlin. “It is deeply disappointing that efforts to restore state management were blocked despite overwhelming evidence that recovery goals have been achieved and exceeded.”

As wolf populations continue to expand, wildlife managers, ranchers, and rural communities are facing growing challenges. Livestock depredation, increased conflicts with domestic animals, and declining big game populations in some regions have placed significant burdens on local communities and state wildlife agencies. In parts of the West, expanding wolf populations have contributed to substantial declines in elk and other ungulate herds, reducing hunting opportunities and impacting local economies. Read more

FWC Announces Results of the 2026 Florida Python Challenge

Photo courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and partners announced the results and winners of the 2026 Florida Python Challenge™, an event intended to raise awareness about invasive species while engaging the public in Everglades conservation through removal of invasive Burmese pythons. Over the course of the 10-day event, 907 Python Challenge participants from 30 different states, as well as from Canada and Vietnam, collectively removed 280 invasive Burmese pythons from south Florida.

A highlight of this year’s event was the return of Everglades National Park as a partner and one of eight official Python Challenge competition locations. This year’s Ultimate Grand Prize winner of $10,000 was Tom Rahill, who removed 96 Burmese pythons during the competition — all of which were removed from Everglades National Park, contributing directly to Everglades conservation. The longest python of the competition was also removed from Everglades National Park, measuring 16 feet, 5 inches, and removed by Rahm Levinson. Additional winners for longest pythons and most pythons removed in the Professional, Novice, and Military categories, are detailed below. Read more

FPC Moves to Block California’s “Glock Ban”

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a motion for preliminary injunction in Renna v. Bonta, a Second Amendment lawsuit challenging California’s handgun bans, including the State’s “Roster” ban, microstamping ban, and ban on semiautomatic handguns with cruciform trigger bars (including nearly every Glock and Glock-style pistol on the market). Today’s motion is limited to the cruciform trigger bar ban; FPC’s district court preliminary injunction victory against parts of California’s handgun Roster is pending a decision at the Ninth Circuit.

The plaintiffs include FPC, individual and retailer FPC members, San Diego County Gun Owners PAC, Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, Second Amendment Foundation, and National Rifle Association of America. They are represented by Bradley A. Benbrook and Stephen M. Duvernay of Benbrook Law Group, PC.

The motion was filed on August 4, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.

California’s handgun ban scheme unconstitutionally prevents peaceable people from acquiring some of the most popular handguns in America. FPC filed the motion to prevent enforcement of the State’s “Glock ban” while the case proceeds on the merits.

“California is the unmistakable leader in innovating new and creative ways to impose tyranny. Read more

Judge: Short-Barreled Rifle, Suppressor NFA Registration Scheme Unconstitutional

A judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas has ruled that the remaining registration scheme for short-barreled rifles and suppressors in the National Firearms Act (NFA) is unconstitutional in Jensen v. ATF, a case supported by the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF).

Since 1934, the NFA required anyone who wished to purchase certain classes of firearms, including silencers and short-barreled rifles, to pay a $200 tax and register the firearm with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), purportedly drawing from Congressional authority to levy taxes. Through the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, however, the tax on these arms was eliminated but the registration requirement was left in place. SAF and its partners have filed three lawsuits challenging the remaining registration requirements, because without the tax, Congress’ reliance on their taxing power is no longer justifiable.

“The basis for each lawsuit challenging the NFA registration scheme is the same – without the tax, the remaining requirements for the affected arms under the NFA have no constitutional basis,” said SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “And today the first court to rule on the issue has agreed with us. We’re eager to continue this fight and leave major portions of the NFA in the dustbin of history. A big win is a great way to kick things off.”

SAF itself is a named plaintiff in NFA lawsuit Brown v. ATF and is backing two additional challenges – Roberts v. ATF and this case, Jensen v. ATF. Plaintiffs in Jensen are SAF sister organization – the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, FPC Action Foundation, Texas Rifle Association, Hot Shots Custom and three individuals.

“The removal of the $200 tax in the One Big Beautiful Bill offers the best opportunity to remove the NFA registration requirements that we’ve had in almost a century,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. Read more

Custom & Collectable Firearms Introduces the Kimber 1911 DS Warrior Spectre 9mm

Custom & Collectable Firearms proudly presents the all-new Kimber 1911 DS Warrior “Spectre,” a premium limited-edition pistol chambered in 9mm that combines bold tactical styling with the performance of a double-stack 1911 platform. Limited to only 200 consecutively numbered pistols, the Spectre was created for collectors and shooting enthusiasts who value precision, exclusivity, and a bold balance of form and function. Built on the trusted Kimber 1911 DS Warrior platform, this limited-edition series features a striking Multicam Gold Cerakote pattern, complemented by matte-black controls. More than a custom firearm, the Kimber 1911 DS Warrior “Spectre” combines limited-edition rarity, modern performance, and commanding style for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Read more

SAF Submits Series of Comment Letters on ATF Proposed Rules

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) submitted a series of formal comment letters to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on multiple proposed rules, urging the agency to modernize regulations in ways that better respect the Second Amendment, gun-owner privacy and the right to interstate travel with firearms.

In late April, SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut was on hand for the announcement of 34 proposed and final rules announced during a press conference and signing by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and ATF Director Robert Cekada. At the ceremony, Cekada signed final rules, including the rescission of the “stabilizing brace” and “engaged in the business” rules, and provided summary insights into proposed rules, including updates to Form 4473 for the commercial transfer of firearms, clarifying interstate transportation of firearms under the Gun Control Act, and recordkeeping requirements for Federal Firearms Licensees.

“These comment letters reflect SAF’s commitment to ensuring that federal regulations remain consistent with the text, history and tradition of the Second Amendment,” said SAF Director of Legal Research and Education Kostas Moros. “The Constitution and our historical tradition demand that ATF get these proposed rules right. Fortunately, for the most part, they have. The proposed rules are, overall, in accord with the Second Amendment. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in this process and urge the agency to finalize rules that expand, rather than restrict, the rights of peaceable citizens.” Read more

Leupold’s New VX-Freedom Straight-Wall Riflescope

Leupold & Stevens, Inc., provider of the world’s most rugged, lightweight, and clear sport optics, is pleased to announce the launch of its new VX-Freedom Straight-Wall riflescope.

Built specifically for rifles chambered for popular straight-wall cartridges, the VX-Freedom Straight-Wall gives hunters a fast, simple, and precise aiming solution in the moments that matter most. It ships with three pre-calibrated elevation dials, one for each of the three most common straight-wall hunting cartridges: .350 Legend, .400 Legend, and .450 Bushmaster.

“Many states that once limited gun hunters to using shotgun slugs for deer have now made it legal to hunt with a straight-wall rifle cartridge,” said Vici Peters, Gold Ring Product Line Manager for Leupold & Stevens, Inc. “With that added capability comes the opportunity to take longer shots–which means compensating for bullet drop. With the VX-Freedom Straight-Wall, we take care of that for you. Just choose your cartridge, zero your rifle, and install the appropriate, included dial. It makes hitting a target at several hundred yards as easy as range, dial, and shoot.”

The VX-Freedom Straight-Wall has the pre-calibrated .350 Legend dial installed out of the box. The .400 Legend and .450 Bushmaster dials are included and can be swapped out using a simple Allen wrench. The pre-calibrated dials allow hunters to shoot with confidence by simply turning the dial to the correct distance and holding dead on for a more precise solution than traditional holdover reticles. Read more

NSSF-Adjusted NICS Background Checks for July 2026

The July 2026 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,061,883 is an increase of 8.5 percent compared to the July 2025 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 978,731. For comparison, the unadjusted July 2026 FBI NICS figure of 2,057,967 reflects a 6.3 percent increase from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 1,936,621 in July 2025.

New for 2026 – Monthly NFA checks (Form 1 and 4) to provide improved market insights:

Top-5 States for NFA Checks in July:
Texas 16,977
Florida 9,784
Virginia 7,599
North Carolina 5,941
Georgia 5,463
  • The July 2026 NFA figure of 130,013 is an increase of 108.8 percent compared to the July 2025 figure of 62,271.

Additional insights on the month-over-month NICS data from GunBroker, NICS Reporting & Analysis (June 2026 data), available in the member portal under Industry Research.

  • Top-5 States for Adjusted NICS Checks: VA, TX, FL, CA, PA
  • Top-5 States for FBI NICS Handgun Checks: TX, VA, FL, CA, PA
  • Top-5 States for FBI NICS Long Gun Checks: VA, TX, PA, FL, CA

Please note: Twenty-eight states currently have at least one qualified alternative permit, which under the Brady Act allows the permit-holder, who has undergone a background check to obtain the permit, to purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer without a separate additional background check for that transfer. Read more

Beginner Backpacking at the Porkies

Photo courtesy of Michigan DNR

Sept. 18-20 at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

Set in the picturesque Porkies – filled with miles of trails, thousands of old-growth trees and abundant wildlife – this class is designed to teach the basics of backpacking and introduce you to the wilderness experience. Instructors will help you develop a gear list, teach you how to plan a trip and stay safe in the backcountry, and introduce you to Leave No Trace principles and basic wilderness problem solving. You will be expected to provide and carry your own gear.

You’ll enjoy a two-day, 5.6-mile scenic hike through the woods, including the chance to take in the views from the highest point in the park.

Cost is $105 per person, which includes meals for the trip. Registration is required by Aug. 14.

Learn more/register ?

This class is part of the Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Skills Academy, which offers in-depth, expert instruction, gear and hands-on learning for a range of outdoor activities at locations around the state. Learn more at Michigan.gov/OutdoorSkills.

Michigan DNR seeks public input on lifting bear hunting prohibition on Bois Blanc Island

black bear in field with fall forest in background The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is considering a proposal to allow bear hunting on Bois Blanc Island in Mackinac County by removing the existing prohibition.

The hunting ban was established in May 1985 by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission. The prohibition was presented as a commissioner amendment and available NRC records do not provide a rationale behind its adoption.

Bois Blanc Island is located within the Newberry Bear Management Unit (BMU). Outside of state-run parks, recreation areas and safety zones near developed areas, Bois Blanc Island is the only location within a BMU where state law prohibits bear hunting. Other species can be hunted on the island, including deer, small game and waterfowl. The DNR manages 10,300 acres of the 23,700-acre island.

The proposal would allow bear hunting on state-owned land. Bear hunting on private land would require the landowner’s permission.

The DNR is seeking public input on the proposal. Send comments to Cody Norton, DNR bear and furbearer specialist, at nortonc3@michigan.gov.

Any hunting proposal would require NRC approval.

Learn more about bear hunting in the DNR’s 2026 bear hunting regulations summary.

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